Great Expectations

Riggins has some news!  

 We are thrilled to be expecting our second child in early April!  

We are so very grateful for God's gracious, undeserved blessings to our family, and we appreciate your prayers for a healthy, uneventful pregnancy as we await this sweet addition!   

Toddler Theology

I was in the kitchen, almost finished wiping down the counters so that I could spend some time playing with Riggins before heading out for the evening.  

At my feet, he clung for dear life to my legs, whining in desperation, his frustration only increasing with my "Wait, sweetie," "Patience, baby," "One minute, honey."  It has been one of those days when he has been especially needy and impatient even when I am seconds away from fulfilling his needs.  

With the last crumb swept away, I knelt down, placed my hands on his shoulders, drew him into a hug, and then looked into his eyes:  

"I hear you, darling.  I know you don't think I do, but I hear you.  And I'm right here.  I will give you what you need."  

And then I was hit with a sensation that has occurred a handful of times in my almost seventeen months of motherhood.  The clear sensation of God's voice, prompting my attention to yet another similarity between my earthly experience of parenting and his divine Fatherhood to his children.  

So often--today, even--I find myself needy.  Whining.  Impatient.  Desperately pulling at the leg of God and complaining, assuming that He couldn't possibly hear, accusing him of not meeting my needs as quickly or as accurately as I would wish.  

And tonight I felt my words repeated back to me:

I hear you darling.  I know you don't think I do, but I hear you.  And I'm right here.  I will give you what you need.

My son may not get his milk as soon as he would like.  He may get broccoli instead of sweet potatoes.  He may go to bed earlier than he is ready.  He may have to wait one minute before receiving the fullness of the attention and love I have to give him.  But he will have everything he needs, when he needs it, and with an abundance of love and care.  Because he is my son.  Because I love him more than life.  

I may not have as much money in my budget as I would like.  I may not know what life after May 2012 has in store.  I may not (scratch that...will not) get my dream house, dream neighborhood, dream life the second Jonathan graduates next Spring.  I may have to watch those I love endure hardships that I do not understand, and endure hardship myself.  I may have to wait years before being able to see the fullness of God's purpose and blessing in these areas of my life.  But I will have everything I need, when I need it, and with an abundance of love and care.  Because I am His child.  Because He loves me more than life.  

I hear you darling.  I know you don't think I do, but I hear you.  And I'm right here.  I will give you what you need.

Yes I CAN!

Y'all, I have learned a new skill, and I am here to proclaim to the world that YOU TOO CAN CAN!  That's right...call me Pioneer Woman, because this summer I tackled canning, something that I had always feared.  For some reason I just assumed that canning was extremely complicated and that if I messed it up I would be permanently deformed by exploding hot glass jars.  

But really, it is super simple!  A little time consuming, yes, but when you consider the output you get for the input, it is well worth an evening of your time.  

My first attempt was apple butter.  A big, beautiful apple tree resides in the back yard of my parents' home in Arkansas, and I had always scolded them for not using the abundance of apples.  Granted, the are small, tart cooking apples, not great for eating out of hand, but still totally useful.  So when my parents visited this summer, Dad toted along a HUGE box of apples.  After checking out a few books from the library, honing in on a recipe, and stocking up on jars and supplies, I went to work.  

It turned out beautifully!  The apple butter was delicious (I used a crock-pot recipe that called for leaving the skins on the apples, so it could not have been easier!), every jar sealed correctly, and I now have a stash of apple butter in the pantry ready for Christmas gifts.  (If we don't polish it off ourselves before then!  FYI: cinnamon raisin bagel, cream cheese, and apple butter are a stellar combo).  

With a little more confidence, I was ready for my second project.  Our neighborhood has a greenline walking trail, and on it are two huge fig trees.  I've kept my eye on those trees all summer, just waiting for those little jewels to ripen.  And I knew just what to do with them.  Mama Dot and her sister Francille always made this amazing fig preserves.  They canned them whole in a heavy syrup studded with lemon rind.  Francille was kind enough to supply me with two jars on my last visit, but I'm down to the last bit of my last jar, and Francille is scheduled to move to a retirement home this fall.  Soon, there would be no more fig preserves.  The tradition was mine to figure out.  

I had Mama Dot's recipe, but in typical Southern girl style, it read a little something like this: 

To large bowl of figs, add soda.  Boil in sugar syrup slow and long with one sliced lemon.  

Not quite enough to go on.  But after a bit of Googling, I found a few similar methods with more exact instructions.  Now it was just time to wait on those figs!  

I checked them one afternoon as we drove home, and they were ready!  As soon as Riggins woke from his nap, I grabbed my biggest mixing bowls, drove to the tree, plopped the boy in the shade beneath, and went to picking!  Then, when I had gotten all I could at my height level, I put Riggs in the car, pulled up underneath the tree, and then stood on the car to get more.  I'm sure the neighbors thought I was INSANE, but I left with a load of figs for free!  (Well, I paid in lots of sweat and a grumpy kid, but FREE!)  

It was game time....I soaked the figs... (the Riggins girls always left the stems on their figs, which I never minded, but these ended up being a little tougher even after cooking down.  Next time, I'll remove them).

Threw them in my biggest pot with the sugar syrup and sliced lemon (Appropriately, this vintage LeCruset Dutch oven belonged to Jonathan's great-grandmother.  Not a direct relation to Mama Dot and Francille, but still another fine Southern Arkansan lady who I would imagine would be very proud to see her great-grandson's woman mixin' up some fig preserves in her pot!  Isn't that turquoise color divine?)  

They simmered for about 30 minutes, nice and long and slow, just like Mama Dot said to do.  

Eventually that syrup gets nice and thick and jammy, and the figs get soft and plump.  Perfect for drizzling over plain yogurt (my modern enjoyment) or smearing onto a hot biscuit (the traditional enjoyment).   

Then, it's time to can.  I boiled my jars and lids, and then filled each hot jar with the hot preserves to 1/4 inch from the rim.  Wipe the rim of the jar, place a hot lid on top, and screw on a ring.  Then pop the jars into a big pot of boiling water and allow to process for 10 minutes.  

Remove from the pot onto a towel and allow to cool overnight.  Unless you have a big canning pot, this all has to be done in stages, so that it what gets time consuming.  I just did it one night after Riggs had gone to bed.  I didn't want a toddler tugging on my leg as I boiled glass jars, you know? :)  

The next morning, test the seals: push on the lid to see if it gives at all.  It shouldn't budge.  Another method is to remove the ring and pick up the jar by just the thin lid.  It should hold tight.  I used both methods just to be sure! :)  

I ended up with these 3 large jars of figs and about four smaller jars.  And I am pleased to report that they taste just like the real deal!  I was so relieved and proud to know that I can carry on this little treat that our family has long enjoyed (although Jonathan isn't crazy about them, so more for me!).  

I think I'll probably reserve canning for those times when I can get an abundance of some food for free or super cheap.  I don't think I'll be going out and buying bushels of strawberries to make jam when I can buy a good jar of Bon Maman for $4 and just eat my fresh strawberries.  But for keeping up a family tradition or taking advantage of a bushel of free apples, canning is a fun, simple little hobby that reaps major rewards!  You "can" do it!  (heehee)

Your Two Cents: Nap Transitions

Good Morning, friends!

I've got a mom question, and I thought I'd bring it to the blogosphere to get your two cents!

Here's the deal...

For the longest time, Riggins has taken a morning nap from 9-10(ish) and an afternoon nap from 1-3(ish).  Although we've had a few days in the last month where he has chatted through that morning nap, we've also had days where he sleeps two hours in the morning; and, of course, plenty of days where he sticks to his usual 9-10.  

But next week, all of our fall activities begin--Bible Study Fellowship (BSF), our church's bible study, and MOPS--which means that at least three mornings a week we have a morning activity that begins around 9:30.  So I'm not sure what to do about that morning nap.  

It seems like my options are:

(1) Keep putting him down at 9:00 when our morning allows (the four days a week without a morning activity) and hope for the best on the other days.  We have had a few days when we've skipped the morning nap for an outing.  He seemed to do fine, and picked right back up with the morning nap the next day.   I guess the only issue is that our activities are three days in a row.  

(2) Attempt to phase out the morning nap and transition to one post-lunch nap.  My only hesitation with that plan is that I would prefer to follow his lead when it comes to his schedule, and since he seems content with his current nap routine I hate to mess with it.  But, I wonder if it would be best to have the same nap routine every day.  And selfishly, on the days when he hasn't taken a morning nap, he has still napped from 1-3, not longer.  I would be really sad to lose a whole hour of nap time!  Does that afternoon nap get longer once it is more established?  

(3) Wait and see how he handles the first few weeks of our new routine and decide later.  

So any wisdom you have to share when it comes to transitioning to one nap is much appreciated!  Comment away, friends!  

Sixteen Months

August 29, 2011

Dear Riggins,

Apparently a mark of 16 month olds is maturity and seriousness, because you had no plans to smile for this photo!  We were on our way to church, so perhaps you were entering a contemplative, worshipful state before spending time in the nursery?  Whatever it is, I will say that this photo is not representative of my spunky, funny, sweet, and noisy 16-month old!

You are so much FUN these days!  Busy and curious, you spend most of your days on the go, moving from room to room in the house, climbing the furniture, following Weber, and jabbering all the while.  I am really enjoying the independence that has come with your increased mobility and stability.  Now, when we leave the house, I can say, "Come on, Riggs, let's go!" and you toddle out the door with me, hold my hand as we descend the front steps, and then walk across the front yard to the car.  You sometimes resist coming when called, but you have gotten very good at responding when I yell "STOP!" as you head for the street.

In spite of your busy-body spirit, you continue to become even more affectionate.  You periodically stop your rushing around, push on my leg to turn me toward you, and then reach both arms up until I scoop you up.  If I'm sitting on the couch, you climb up and snuggle for a few minutes before shimmying back down to resume your business.  You love to read, and will snuggle up for a good while on the couch or on the floor of your room.  You learned how to turn around and sit in my lap this month, which you love to do after handing me a book.  But you especially love it when I climb into your crib with you to snuggle and read!  (I might love it more!)

Your communication skills continue to increase.  You say mama, dada, book (boo), boat (bo), and uh oh.  You sign all done, milk, more, eat, and please.  From the second we get you out of your crib each morning, you are signing "milk!"  I have been most amazed by your increased understanding; you respond correctly when asked to go get something or to do something, and you can point to a few body parts.  And of course, you still love to squeal and scream!

This month we flew to Maine for my cousin's wedding.  While there, you visited the beach for the first time, took your first boat ride, and met an entirely new side of the family.  It was a greta trip, and we made so many sweet memories together.  In spite of the changing time zones and travel craziness, your routine has stayed the same this month.  Still sleeping 7-7 with two naps each day.

Your favorite things include airplanes, Weber, the zoo and playground, walks in the stroller or wagon, playing in the front yard and walking down the sidewalk, fruit of all kinds, Ritz crackers, mac and cheese, watching Daddy leave for work and greeting him when he comes home, wrestling and tickling with Daddy, stacking blocks and whacking them over, music, and Praise Baby.

Speaking of music, our favorite development this month has been your killer dance moves!  You have really gotten into music these days, and if you hear anything you immediately start bee-bopping.  You will even go over to the CD player in your room and sign "more" for me to turn it on.  Last week we turned the Ipod on and you started your usual move: wide stance, bent knees, bouncing.  Then, you popped up one toe, hunched over, started shaking your head, and then periodically bent over to slap the floor as you bounced.  We were pretty much rolling on the floor with laughter.  I'm not sure where you learned your moves, buddy, but you're going to rock the dance floor some day!

Just in case you haven't noticed, we think you're pretty amazing, and we love you to pieces.  Thanks for bringing so much joy to our lives.

Love,
Momma

A Season Ends

J just left for the last day of his summer externship.  And we are sad.

For the past year and a quarter, our little family has enjoyed a sweet season of life, and that season ends on Monday.  When Riggins was born, J began his 3rd year of optometry school.  You may remember that 3rd year included the first part of board exams that were taken last Spring.  In preparation for those exams, third year students have a significant amount of free time built into their schedules that is intended to be study time.  Last January and February, J used that extra study time to the fullest.  But last fall and last spring once boards were over, he enjoyed at least one day off per week (sometimes two), and the luxury of coming home for lunch quite often.  He came home at a decent hour every night.  

Then, this summer, his externship down in Mississippi had an awesome schedule.  The practice was closed on Mondays and didn't open until 2 on Thursdays, so all summer he has been working 3 1/2 hour days.  It has been bliss.  

Honestly, this schedule has made my first year of motherhood so much easier.  I fully realize that.  If I really needed to run an errand without Riggins during the week, or desperately needed some girl time, I could almost always arrange for J to watch Riggins at some point during the week.  Most importantly, we have been spoiled to enjoy so much quality time together as a family, and J has been given an opportunity that few fathers are offered: frequent one-on-one time with his child.  

On Monday, J will begin his rotation at the VA Hospital.  He has to report at 7 a.m. each morning for his first patient at 7:15.  He does not get a lunch break.  And he cannot leave the hospital until every other extern is finished with their patients.  All for one and one for all, or something like that.  They are going to be long days, for both of us.  And then next Spring he will finish out his extern year with a rotation back at the optometry school clinic.  Word on the street is that hours at the school are actually the worst.  

So basically, our family is mourning the end of an era.  We realize that what we are about to experience is what most families experience from day one (and some of you medical resident wives are probably scoffing at how much you would kill for even our new schedule!), but this is a change for us.  Jonathan is sad to know that he will never get the kind of time he has enjoyed with Riggins with any of our future children.  I am nervous to embark on longer days alone, just as my little toddler really starts to exert his independence and wild side.  But mostly, we are sad to lose so much quality time as a family, our mid-week trips to the zoo, our mid-day errands, trips to the park and walks around the neighborhood, kitchen dance parties and lunches together.  It has been a sweet season of life and I will always hold my memories of this time close to my heart.   

And then, before we know it, he'll be graduating.  And we'll be moving.  So I guess we're just sad knowing that this fall kicks off one last year in Memphis, a city that we have grown to dearly love.  I am sad knowing that so much change and transition is on the horizon.  I am not ready to say goodbye to friends, our home, our church, our neighborhood.  I am not ready to start over again.  

But none of that is happening tomorrow, so the mission is to savor this year.  To be fully present with my little boy each day, even when the hours drag on.  To fully enjoy this great city.  To soak up time with our dear friends and church family.  To thank God for his provision here, and to trust him for his provision as we move forward.  

A Maine Adventure

Well, hello there!  I'm enjoying a delicious rainy morning at home with my boys, which has been just what the doctor ordered after our wonderful (but exhausting!) week in Maine.  

My mom is originally from that great state, and I am lucky enough to still have a whole crew of family members along the New England coast.  Last weekend, my cousin Lindsay was married in Falmouth, Maine, and we just couldn't pass up the opportunity to celebrate with the whole family!  It was also the first time that Riggins had met that side of the clan; he enjoyed lots of introductions and lots of firsts!  

Here are a few shots from the trip...

The three of us soaking up a beautiful sunset at the Lobster Shack at Two Lights State Park in Cape Elizabeth, Maine.  I've been cracking claws there since I was a little girl!  

Riggins splashed in the ocean for the first time and is a bonafide surfer dude...he loved the water and waves!

Riggins enjoyed his first boat ride when the whole group took a ferry out to Peaks Island for a lobster bake rehearsal dinner.

It was a perfect Maine night...cool breezes off of the water, clear skies, delicious lobster, and great company.

He passed on the lobster...  (I, however, ate so much seafood that I was actually tired of it by the end of the trip.  I had no idea that was even possible!)

We soaked up a perfect morning at the Portland Headlight, another spot that I've been enjoying since I was a wee little girl.  

And, of course, my man and I enjoyed a lovely (baby free!) evening at Lindsay and Shaun's wedding.  It was a gorgeous ceremony and a FUN reception.  I'll just say that my family knows how to party, and that our entire crowd (including my 82 year-old grandmother!) was out on the dance floor from the first song to the last.  It was an absolute blast.  

In the days after the wedding, our crowd relaxed in the way we know best...hanging around the fire pit with Red Snapper (or "snappah") hot dogs and mussels. 

It was a wonderful getaway with my boys, and another reminder of how much I thoroughly enjoy my extended family members.  Maine is a pretty wonderful state, and I often found myself wondering why on earth we aren't moving there after optometry school.  Then I just remember the winters, and the South sounds just fine to me!  But come the end of summer in the South, an escape to Maine is a breath of fresh air.